Surgical stapling device with safety member

ABSTRACT

A safety member ( 100 ) for use with an open, linear stapling device ( 10 ) includes a body ( 102 ) that can be received within a central knife slot ( 72 ) of a staple cartridge ( 18 ) and includes a knife stop ( 104 ), an angled stop surface ( 106 ), and transverse protrusions ( 108 ). The knife stop ( 104 ) is positioned on the body ( 102 ) to engage a knife assembly ( 50 ) of the staple cartridge ( 18 ), and the angled stop surface ( 106 ) is positioned to engage an actuation sled ( 62 ) of the staple cartridge ( 18 ). The transverse protrusions ( 108 ) are positioned to be received within cutouts ( 110 ) of the staple cartridge ( 18 ) to prevent longitudinal movement of the safety member ( 100 ) in relation to the staple cartridge ( 18 ) when the safety member ( 100 ) is coupled to the staple cartridge ( 18 ).

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a surgical stapling device, and, more particularly, to a surgical stapling device that includes a safety member that prevents inadvertent advancement of a firing assembly of the stapling device prior to actuation of the stapling device.

BACKGROUND

Surgical stapling devices that eject staples to join tissue during surgical procedures are well known. These stapling devices are available in a variety of configurations including linear, curved, and circular to perform open and endoscopic surgical procedures. Linear surgical stapling devices for performing open surgical procedures typically include an anvil section, a cartridge receiving section, a staple cartridge, and a firing assembly. The staple cartridge is releasably secured within the cartridge receiving section, and the firing assembly is movable within the cartridge receiving section to eject staples from the staple cartridge. These stapling devices often include a lockout assembly that prevents movement of the firing assembly within the cartridge receiving section when a staple cartridge is removed from the cartridge receiving section of the stapling device. In such devices, the lockout assembly is moved to an unlocked position upon placement of the staple cartridge into the cartridge receiving section of the stapling device.

In certain linear surgical stapling devices for performing open surgical procedures, the staple cartridge is preloaded into the cartridge receiving section prior to packaging and shipping of the stapling device. In such stapling devices, inadvertent movement of the firing assembly can result in unwanted ejection of staples from the staple cartridge prior to use of the stapling device.

A continuing need exists in the art for a device to prevent inadvertent advancement of the firing assembly within the stapling device.

SUMMARY

This disclosure generally relates to a safety member for use with an open, linear stapling device that can be coupled to a staple cartridge of the stapling device to prevent inadvertent advancement of a firing assembly of the stapling device. This disclosure is also directed to a stapling device including a safety member that can be coupled to the staple cartridge of the stapling device to prevent inadvertent advancement of the firing assembly of the stapling device.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a stapling device and safety member assembly that includes a stapling device and a safety member. The stapling device includes an anvil section, a cartridge section, a staple cartridge, a firing assembly, and a clamp member. The anvil section has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion includes a hand grip and the distal portion includes an anvil plate. The cartridge section includes a channel member that defines a channel that includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The staple cartridge includes a body that defines a central knife slot, a knife assembly that includes a knife bar having a cutting edge, and an actuation sled. The staple cartridge is releasably received within the distal portion of the channel defined by the channel member of the cartridge section. The firing assembly includes a drive beam that is adapted to couple to the knife assembly when the staple cartridge is received within the distal portion of the channel defined by the channel member of the cartridge section. The clamp member is supported on the cartridge section and is movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position to move the anvil plate into juxtaposed alignment with the staple cartridge. The safety member includes a body that includes a knife stop and an angled stop surface. The body of the safety member is frictionally received within the central knife slot defined by the cartridge body such that the knife stop engages the cutting edge of the knife bar and the angled stop surface is engaged with the actuation sled to prevent movement of the knife assembly and actuation sled within the body of the staple cartridge.

In aspects of the disclosure, the body of the safety member includes transversely extending protrusions and the body of the staple cartridge defines cutouts, and the transversely extending protrusions are received within the cutouts to prevent longitudinal movement of the safety member within the central knife slot of the cartridge body.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the body of the safety member has a proximal portion that includes the knife stop and the angled stop surface.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the distal portion of the safety member includes a grip that extends from the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge when the safety member is received within the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge.

In aspects of the disclosure, the grip includes longitudinal ribs.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the distal portion of the safety member includes feet that engage the channel when the safety member is received within the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the body of the safety member includes raised surfaces that are positioned to engage a portion of the body of the staple cartridge defining the central knife slot when the safety member is coupled to the staple cartridge to retain the safety member within the central knife slot.

In aspects of the disclosure, the firing assembly of the stapling device includes a trigger that is coupled to the drive beam and is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to advance the knife assembly and the actuation sled through the body of the staple cartridge.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the trigger is pivotably coupled to the drive beam and includes a thumb engagement member on each side of the channel of the cartridge section to facilitate actuation of the firing assembly from both sides of the stapling device.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the stapling device includes a lock member that is supported within the channel of the channel member of the cartridge section.

In aspects of the disclosure, the lock member defines a slot through which the drive beam of the drive assembly extends, and the lock member is movable from a locked position engaged with the drive beam to an unlocked position disengaged from the drive member.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the lock member is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to insertion of the staple cartridge within the distal portion of the channel of the channel member of the cartridge section of the stapling device.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the drive beam of the firing assembly includes a distal portion that is adapted to couple to the knife assembly when the staple cartridge is inserted within the distal portion of the channel of the channel member of the cartridge section of the stapling device.

In aspects of the disclosure, the actuation sled defines angled cam surfaces and the angled stop surface of the safety member defines an angle that corresponds to an angle defined by the angled cam surfaces.

Aspects of this disclosure are also directed to a safety member for preventing inadvertent advancement of a knife assembly of a stapling device. The safety member has a body that includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion includes a knife stop, an angled stop surface, and transverse protrusions. The body is dimensioned to be frictionally received within a central knife slot of a staple cartridge of the stapling device. The knife stop is positioned to engage a cutting edge of a knife assembly of the stapling device. The angled stop surface is positioned to engage an actuation sled of the staple cartridge of the stapling device, and the protrusions are positioned to be received within cutouts in the staple cartridge to prevent longitudinal movement of the safety member in relation to the staple cartridge.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the disclosure are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a stapling device including a safety member according to aspects of the disclosure with the stapling device in a clamped position;

FIG. 1A is an exploded, side perspective view of the stapling device and safety member shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a proximal portion of a staple cartridge of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1A and the safety member with the safety member separated from the staple cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the safety member shown in FIG. 2 ;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view from above of the staple cartridge of the stapling device shown in FIG. 1A and the safety member with the safety member secured to the staple cartridge;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 4 ; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed surgical device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In this description, the term “proximal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In addition, the term “clinician” is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel. Further, directional terms such as “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

This disclosure is directed to a safety member for use with an open, linear stapling device that includes a body that can be received within a central knife slot of a staple cartridge to prevent inadvertent advancement of a drive assembly of the stapling device. The body of the safety member includes a knife stop, an angled stop surface, and transverse protrusions. The knife stop is positioned on the body to engage a knife assembly of the staple cartridge, and the angled stop surface is positioned to engage an actuation sled of the staple cartridge. The transverse protrusions are positioned to be received within cutouts of the staple cartridge to prevent longitudinal movement of the safety member in relation to the staple cartridge when the safety member is coupled to the staple cartridge.

FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a surgical stapling device shown generally as stapling device 10 and a safety member in accordance with the disclosure shown generally as safety member 100. The stapling device 10 defines a longitudinal axis “X” (FIG. 1 ) and includes an anvil section 12, a cartridge section 14, a clamping lever 16, a staple cartridge 18, and a firing assembly 20 (FIG. 1A). The cartridge section 14 includes a channel member 22 that defines a channel 22 a (FIG. 1 a ) that has a proximal portion 24 and a distal portion 26. The proximal portion 24 of the channel member 22 receives the firing assembly 20. The distal portion 26 of the channel 22 a is dimensioned to releasably receive the staple cartridge 18. The anvil section 12 includes an anvil hand grip 28 that is positioned on a proximal portion of the anvil section 12 and an anvil plate 30 that is positioned on a distal portion of the anvil section 12 and faces the cartridge section 14 when the anvil section 12 and the cartridge section 14 are coupled together. The anvil section 12 also includes centrally located protrusions 36.

The clamping lever 16 is pivotally supported on a proximal portion of the cartridge body 14 and is movable between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The clamping lever 16 includes centrally located spaced flanges 40 that define recesses 42. Each of the recesses 42 receives a respective one of the protrusions 36 of the anvil section 12 when the anvil section 12 is coupled to the cartridge section 14. When the clamp lever 16 is pivoted on the cartridge section 14 from the unclamped position to a position adjacent and aligned with the cartridge section 14, the anvil section 12 is moved into juxtaposed alignment with the cartridge section 14 to move the anvil plate 30 into juxtaposed alignment with the staple cartridge 18.

The firing assembly 20 includes a trigger 42 and a drive beam 44. The trigger 42 is rotatably supported on a proximal portion of the drive beam 44 and includes a thumb engagement member 42 a positioned on each side of the stapling device 10. The thumb engagement member 42 a (FIG. 1 ) is rotatable between two positions to facilitate actuation of the stapling device 10 from both sides of the stapling device 10. The pivotable trigger 42 is coupled to a proximal portion of the drive beam 44 and is movable longitudinally within the proximal portion 24 of the channel 22 a of the channel member 22 to advance the drive beam 44 from a retracted position to an advanced position. The drive beam 44 includes a distal portion that is adapted to engage a knife assembly 50 (FIG. 6 ) of the staple cartridge 18 when the staple cartridge 18 is received within the distal portion 26 of the channel member 22. In aspects of the disclosure, the distal portion of the drive beam 44 includes a hook-shaped portion 52 (FIG. 1A).

A lock member 58 is supported within a central portion of the channel 22 a of the channel member 22. The lock member 58 defines a slot 60 (FIG. 1A) that receives the drive beam 44. The lock member 58 is pivotable between a locked position in which the lock member 58 is engaged with the drive beam 44 and an unlocked position in which the lock member 58 is positioned to allow the drive beam 44 to move through the slot 60. The lock member 58 is pivotable from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to placement of a staple cartridge 18 within the distal portion 26 of the channel 22 a of the channel member 22. In aspects of the disclosure, a biasing member (not shown) is engaged with the lock member 58 to urge the lock member 58 to the locked position.

The staple cartridge 18 supports the knife assembly 50 (FIG. 6 ). The knife assembly 50 is in abutting relation to an actuation sled 62 and includes a knife bar 64 that defines a distally facing cutting edge 66 and includes a proximal portion that is adapted to engage the distal portion of the drive beam 44. In aspects of the disclosure, the knife bar 64 includes a proximally extending hook member 70 that engages the hook-shaped portion 52 of the drive beam 44 to couple the knife assembly 50 to the drive beam 44 when the staple cartridge 18 is received within the distal portion 26 of the channel 22 a of the channel member 22 of the cartridge section 14. The actuation sled 62 includes angled cam surfaces 62 a that engage pushers (not shown) with the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18 to eject staples (not shown) from the staple cartridge 18 when the actuation sled 62 advances through the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. In aspects of the disclosure, the angled cam surfaces define an acute angle

(FIG. 6 ) with the longitudinal axis “X” of the stapling device 10.

The staple cartridge 18 defines a centrally located knife slot 72 that extends through the staple cartridge 18 from a proximal end of the staple cartridge 18 to a position adjacent a distal end of the staple cartridge 18. The knife bar 64 is movable through the knife slot 72 from a retracted position to an advanced position when the drive bar 44 (FIG. 1A) is advanced from a retracted position to an advanced position to cut tissue clamped between the anvil plate 30 and the staple cartridge 18.

The firing assembly 20 is actuated by advancing the pivotable trigger 42 along the longitudinal axis “X” of the stapling device 10 (FIG. 1 ) whereby the drive beam 44 advances knife bar 64 distally through a body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. As the knife bar 64 moves distally within the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18, the actuation sled 62 (FIG. 6 ) is pushed through the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. The actuation sled 62 cooperates with staple pushers (not shown) within the staple cartridge 18 to eject a plurality of rows of staples from the staple cartridge 18 for engagement and deformation by the anvil plate 30. In aspects of the disclosure, the staple cartridge 18 accommodates two sets of three rows of staples that are delivered through tissue, wherein one set of three rows of staples are positioned on each side of the knife slot 72.

The staple cartridge 18 supports a knife guard 80 that is supported adjacent the knife bar 64. The knife guard 80 is rotatable from an unguarded position in which the cutting edge 66 of the knife bar 64 is exposed to a guarded position in which the cutting edge 66 of the knife bar 64 is covered. For a detailed discussion of the construction and operation of an exemplary surgical stapling instrument including a staple cartridge, reference may be made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,505,801 to Ehrenfels et al.

FIGS. 2-7 illustrate the safety member 100 which includes a body 102 that has a width to be frictionally received within the knife slot 72 of the staple cartridge 18. The body 102 includes a proximal portion that includes a knife stop 104, an angled stop surface 106, and transversely extending protrusions 108. The knife stop 104 is positioned on the proximal end of the body 102 of the safety member 100 to engage the distal end of the knife bar 64 when the safety member 100 is coupled to the staple cartridge 18. The angled stop surface 106 of the body 102 of the safety member 100 is positioned to engage the angled cam surfaces 62 a of the actuation sled 62 (FIG. 6 ) of the staple cartridge 18 to prevent distal movement of the actuation sled 62 within the staple cartridge 18 when the safety member 100 is coupled to the staple cartridge 18. In that respect, the angled stop surface 106 of the safety member 100 can define an angle or angles that correspond to the angle or angles defined by the cam surfaces 62 a of the actuation sled 62. The protrusions 108 of the body 102 of the safety member 100 are received within cutouts 110 (FIG. 2 ) defined in the staple cartridge 18 to axially fix the safety member 100 on the staple cartridge 18.

In aspects of the disclosure, the body 102 of the safety member 100 includes a distal portion that includes an upper end and a lower end as viewed in FIG. 3 . The upper end of the distal portion of the body 102 includes a grip 112 that extends above a top surface of the staple cartridge 18 when the safety member 100 is coupled to the staple cartridge 18 (FIG. 6 ). In aspects of the disclosure, the grip 112 includes longitudinal ribs 112 a (FIG. 2 ) to improve the grip ability of the grip 112. The lower end of the distal portion of the body 102 includes feet 114 that extend downwardly and engage the channel member 22 when the safety member 100 is coupled to the staple cartridge 18 to prevent further insertion of the safety member 100 into the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. Although shown to include feet 114, the lower end of the body 102 of the safety member 100 can be continuous along its length such that the entire length of the distal portion of the body 102 of the safety member 100 engages the channel member 22.

In aspects of the disclosure, the body 102 of the distal portion of the safety member 100 includes raised surfaces 116 that engage inner walls 118 (FIG. 7 ) of the staple cartridge 18 that define the central knife slot 72 to increase the frictional engagement of the safety member 100 with the staple cartridge 18.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate the safety member 100 coupled to the staple cartridge 18. In order to couple the safety member 100 to the staple cartridge 18, the body 102 of the safety member 100 is inserted into the knife slot 72 defined in the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. This is accomplished by gripping the grip 112 of the safety member 100 and inserting the feet 114 of the body 102 of the safety member 100 through the knife slot 72 until the feet 114 engage the channel member 22. The safety member 100 is positioned on the staple cartridge 18 such that the protrusions 108 are received within the cutouts 110 defined in the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. Receipt of the protrusions 102 within the cutouts 110 of the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18 prevents longitudinal movement of the safety member 100 within the knife slot 72. When the protrusions 108 are received in the cutouts 110, the knife stop 104 is engaged with the cutting edge 66 of the knife bar 64 to prevent axial movement of the knife bar 64 within the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. In this position, the angled stop surface 106 of the safety member 100 is engaged with the actuation sled 62 to prevent axial movement of the actuation sled 62 within the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18. The raised surfaces 116 (FIG. 7 ) on the body 102 of the safety member 100 frictionally engage the inner walls 118 of the body 18 a of the staple cartridge 18 to obstruct removal of the safety member 100 from within the knife slot 72 of the staple cartridge 18.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stapling device and safety member assembly comprising: a stapling device including: an anvil section having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including a hand grip and the distal portion including an anvil plate; a cartridge section including a channel member defining a channel, the channel including a proximal portion and a distal portion; a staple cartridge including a body defining a central knife slot, a knife assembly including a knife bar having a cutting edge, and an actuation sled, the staple cartridge releasably received within the distal portion of the channel defined by the channel member of the cartridge section; a firing assembly including a drive beam, the drive beam adapted to couple to the knife assembly when the staple cartridge is received within the distal portion of the channel defined by the channel member of the cartridge section; and a clamp member supported on the cartridge section, the clamp member movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position to move the anvil plate into juxtaposed alignment with the staple cartridge; and a safety member including a body that includes a knife stop and an angled stop surface, the body of the safety member frictionally received within the central knife slot defined by the cartridge body such that the knife stop engages the cutting edge of the knife bar and the angled stop surface engages the actuation sled to prevent movement of the knife assembly and actuation sled within the body of the staple cartridge.
 2. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 1, wherein the body of the safety member includes transversely extending protrusions and the body of the staple cartridge defines cutouts, the transversely extending protrusions received within the cutouts to prevent longitudinal movement of the safety member within the central knife slot of the cartridge body.
 3. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 2, wherein the body of the safety member includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion including the knife stop and the angled stop surface.
 4. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 3, wherein the distal portion of the safety member includes a grip that extends from the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge when the safety member is received within the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge.
 5. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 4, wherein the grip includes longitudinal ribs.
 6. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 3, wherein the distal portion of the safety member includes feet, the feet engaging the channel when the safety member is received within the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge.
 7. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 3, wherein the body of the safety member includes raised surfaces that are positioned to engage a portion of the body of the staple cartridge defining the central knife slot to retain the safety member within the central knife slot.
 8. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 1, wherein the firing assembly of the stapling device includes a trigger that is coupled to the drive beam, the trigger being movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to advance the knife assembly and the actuation sled through the body of the staple cartridge.
 9. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 8, wherein the trigger is pivotably coupled to the drive beam and includes a thumb engagement member on each side of the channel of the cartridge section to facilitate actuation of the firing assembly from both sides of the stapling device.
 10. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 1, wherein the stapling device includes a lock member supported within the channel of the channel member of the cartridge section, the lock member defining a slot through which the drive beam of the drive assembly extends, the lock member movable from a locked position engaged with the drive beam to an unlocked position disengaged from the drive member.
 11. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 10, wherein the lock member is movable from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to insertion of the staple cartridge within the distal portion of the channel of the channel member of the cartridge section of the stapling device.
 12. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive beam of the firing assembly includes a distal portion adapted to couple to the knife assembly when the staple cartridge is inserted within the distal portion of the channel of the channel member of the cartridge section of the stapling device.
 13. The stapling device and safety member assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuation sled defines angled cam surfaces and the angled stop surface of the safety member defines an angle that corresponds to an angle defined by the angled cam surfaces.
 14. A safety member for preventing inadvertent advancement of a knife assembly of a stapling device, the safety member comprising: a body including proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including a knife stop, an angled stop surface, and transverse protrusions, the body being dimensioned to be frictionally received within a central knife slot of a staple cartridge of the stapling device, the knife stop being positioned to engage a cutting edge of a knife assembly of the stapling device, the angled stop surface being positioned to engage an actuation sled of the staple cartridge of the stapling device, and the protrusions positioned to be received within cutouts in the staple cartridge to prevent longitudinal movement of the safety member in relation to the staple cartridge.
 15. The safety member of claim 14, wherein the distal portion of the body includes an upper end including a grip that is positioned to extend from the central knife slot of the staple cartridge when the safety member is received within the central knife slot of the staple cartridge.
 16. The safety member of claim 15, wherein the grip includes longitudinal ribs.
 17. The safety member of claim 15, wherein the distal portion of the body has a lower end that includes feet, the feet supporting the safety member within the staple cartridge when the safety member is received within the central knife slot of the body of the staple cartridge.
 18. The safety member of claim 14, wherein the body includes raised surfaces that are positioned to engage a portion of the staple cartridge defining the central knife slot to retain the safety member within the central knife slot.
 19. The safety member of claim 15, wherein the angled stop surface has an angle that corresponds to an angle of cam surfaces of an actuation sled of the staple cartridge. 